Senior School

It has been a very busy start to the year as we welcomed our Senior School students back for Term 1 2023. Some of our Year 7 students quietly shared that they were indeed nervous on their first day of secondary school, but also noted that they were excited in equal measure and were looking forward to the year ahead. Our Middle Year Level Coordinators, Mr David Cutler (Year 7), Mr Mark Goode (Year 8) and Mr Gavin Fox (Year 9), were on hand with our Middle School Home Group teachers to welcome students back and lead them through a range of activities that tackled first day jitters, helped to settle students in and find their way around the new facilities. 

Our new Microsoft Surface SmartHubs have already proven to be a great success with students and staff taking full advantage of the various learning and engagement opportunities that they introduce into each lesson. With further works, furniture, play areas and classroom resources on the way, Oxley looks to create a range of varied learning environments where students are comfortable, engaged, and ready to apply themselves to the best of their ability. 

I look forward to catching up with our Year 7 Parents again on Wednesday 15 February for our Year 7 Information Evening and on Friday 3 March for the Year 7 Parents’ BBQ.

Our most senior students in Year 10 and VCE have also had a positive start to the year, settling into their established grooves and looking forward to the year ahead. Mrs Bell, Mr Van Gaalen and Miss Hogan were keen to hit the ground running, outlining the details of our upcoming camps, incursions, excursions and school events. 

The Senior School Building will be a little quieter soon with our Year 10 students departing for the 2023 Aqua Camp on Monday 21 February. I’m still not quite sure what the mountainboarding activity entails, but I am sure that the students will be keen to tell us all about it upon their return.

I personally enjoyed attending my first Oxley Christian College House Swimming Carnival on Friday 10 February (a full report and photos on this event will follow in the next edition of The Vine). I am looking forward to inducting our 2023 Senior School Leaders at our Investiture Ceremony on Monday 13 February. Further adding to the calendar, we also have our VCE Information Evening on Tuesday 14 February in the BPAC. 2023 promises to be a particularly eventful and fulfilling year for all of us with lots of learning, fun and challenges ahead. 

For those new to the College, we highly value communications from our parents about any matters and you are encouraged to contact your child’s pastoral team, coordinators or myself when and where needed. We are here to support your child in all of their endeavours and are keen to work with you to help them find that delicate balance between schoolwork, leisure, family and time with God, to whom we give thanks for all that we have received and all that is yet to come.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

James Avram

Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School